Gulfstream Aerospace has received an FAA STC for Safe Flight Instrument's AutoPower automatic throttle system for the Gulfstream G200. AutoPower is a factory option and is available as a retrofit for the existing 92 aircraft in the G200 fleet. AutoPower integrates with the G200 systems to compute and maintain target engine settings for airspeed control during critical phases of flight, particularly approach and landing.
THERE IS QUITE A BIT of confusion about the commercial Federal Excise Tax (FET) as it relates to medical flights. In the eyes of the IRS there are two types of medical flights: regular medical flights and emergency medical flights. The ultimate categorization of the flight could determine whether the FET applies to any or all of the flight, a determination that could increase expenses by 7.5 percent, plus a $3.10 per-person per-segment fee.
AirCell, Louisville, Colo., has appointed Tom Myers to the position of director, marketing. AirCell designs, manufactures, markets and supports a full product line of airborne telecommunications systems.
Former NTSB member John Goglia has hit the ground running, simultaneously appointed senior vice president of government and technical programs for the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association and joining the faculty of St. Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. At PAMA, Goglia will spearhead the association's efforts to gain U.S.
B/CA's Fred George and David Esler were among this year's recipients of Aerospace Journalist of the Year Awards presented in London during July's Farnborough Air Show. Senior Editor George took home two silver trophies; his ``Your First Atlantic Crossing'' (B/CA, February 2004) won the Gulfstream Award for Best Business Aircraft Submission, which was presented to him by Gulfstream's Robert Baugniet, and his ``Dassault Falcon Jet's EASy Cockpit'' (B/CA, October 2003) earned the World Leadership Forum Award for the Best Avionics Submission.
Falcon Jet Centre, Farnborough, England, has appointed James Gillborn as business manager. He is responsible for expanding Falcon Jet's charter and aircraft management business.
U.K. pilot training company Atlantic Flight Training and Boeing's Jeppesen business unit have formalized a partnership to develop training material for the JAA's ATP theory course. The partnership plans to add training for commercial , instrument and private pilots license. In addition to developing traditional textbooks for each certificate and rating, Jeppesen and AFT will introduce a full line of supporting products, which may include test preparation, study guides, maneuvering manuals, JAA syllabi, lesson plans and instructors' manuals.
Butler National's Avcon Industries received an order to install its cargo door modification in two Dassault Falcon 20 airplanes. The installations, which typically are priced at $525,000 each, will be performed at the company's Newton, Kan., facility.
To commemorate the King Air's 40th year in production, Raytheon Aircraft is transforming a King Air 350 -- s.n. 400, N40TH -- into an anniversary showcase. Already featuring new Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, s.n. 400 will receive a special paint scheme and interior treatments. Raytheon also created a special Web site for the anniversary featuring owners' stories and King Air facts and photos. The celebration will culminate at NBAA 2004 in Las Vegas with the delivery of s.n. 400 to its new owner. Beech Aircraft announced the King Air on Aug. 14, 1963.
Air Methods has placed an order for 15 Bell Model 427 IFR twin-engine helicopters. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery beginning in late 2007. The agreement provides for a minimum delivery of three aircraft per year. As the launch customer, the agreement provides for special incentives, including a trade-in option for up to 15 Bell 222 twin-engine aircraft, with minimum guaranteed trade-in values. Air Methods currently operates 22 Bell 222s.
Avfuel Corp. announced that Ratliff Aviation, at Tucson International Airport (TUS), has signed on as a dealer. Founded 20 years ago, Ratliff Aviation's services and amenities include ramp capacity up to Gulfstream V, FAR Part 135 charter and maintenance, passenger lounge, business center, limo and hotel service flight planning room, weather and crew cars.
For maintenance technicians to keep their skills sharp -- particularly in light of increasingly complex aircraft systems and changing regulations -- they need to undergo regular recurrent training. Fortunately, the instructional choices available to business aviation maintainers today are probably the most diverse ever.
The National Air Transportation Association is urging its members to carefully examine new Department of Labor overtime regulations that cover exempt and nonexempt employees. FAR Part 135 air carriers typically would not fall under the overtime rules since air carrier labor laws are covered under the Railway Labor Act of 1926. However, other aviation personnel, including those involved in Part 91 operations and Part 145 repair stations, are covered under the DOL rules.
TAG Aviation USA has named former B/CA Publisher Gil Wolin as its vice president of corporate communications. Wolin will be based at TAG's office at Westchester County Airport, N.Y. (HPN). Reporting directly to TAG Aviation USA President and CEO Jake Cartwright, Wolin will act as TAG's ``client responsible officer'' in the Northeast and have overall responsibility for the company's internal and external communications and media relations nationwide.
Robert E. Breiling Associates reported that accidents and fatalities involving the U.S. business jet and turboprop fleet were down during the first half of this year. However, the second half of the year got off to a bad start with the crash of an Israel Aircraft Industries 1124 Westwind medical evacuation flight on July 2 that claimed seven lives in Panama (see below). Breiling said there were 27 accidents, including eight that resulted in 15 passenger and crew fatalities during the first six months of the year.
Domestic RVSM is slated to become effective in the U.S. national airspace system at 0901 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on Jan. 20, 2005. Canada and Mexico are expected to follow suit.
``What is the perceived threat of small planes?'' asked Rep. Pete DeFazio (D-Ore.), pressing both the FAA's Schuessler and Jonathan Fleming, chief operating officer for the TSA, for an explanation of what is spurring the continuing airspace restrictions in the nation's capital. ``What are we defending ourselves against out there?'' he reiterated. Fleming responded that the restrictions are a response to a concern that terrorists could use aircraft in an attack. But DeFazio noted that the Customs aircraft primarily used to deflect and escort violators in the D.C.
Jet Aviation, Teterboro, N.J., appointed David Heydt as director of maintenance and Stephen Wilson as senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation U.S. Charter Services. At Jet Aviation's Zurich, Switzerland location, Colin Bond was appointed chief financial officer for the company's worldwide operations.
An FAA AD proposes checks and calibration of the low-pressure-turbine (LPT) Stage 1 disks on Honeywell TFE731-2 and -2C engines and replacement of the LPT disks on TFE731-3, -3A, -3AR, -3B, -3BR and -3R engines. The proposal would require work to be completed at the next major periodic inspection (MPI), or within 2,200 hours time-in-service since the last LPT Stage 1 inspection for the -2. For the -3, the FAA is calling for the replacement at the next MPI or within 1,500 hours time-in-service since last inspection.
More unintended consequences. The NBAA hosted a meeting with FAA and DOT officials on the treatment of FAR Part 91 operators who contract their airplanes and crews to Part 135 operators for on-demand charter service. The NBAA and the National Air Transportation Association are hoping to further educate the agencies about the long-standing practice.
CAE won an exclusive contract from Dassault to provide the factory-sponsored training for pilots, maintenance personnel and cabin crews for the new Falcon 7X. Under the terms of the contract, announced at Farnborough on July 19, CAE commits to develop two Falcon 7X full-flight simulators and complete training programs for the aircraft. CAE also commits to build two full-flight simulators convertible between the Falcon 2000EX EASy and Falcon 900EX EASy as well as complete training programs for those aircraft.
Proposed Rules Bell 222 and 230 helicopters -- Inspect the main-rotor yoke for a crack, fretting or buffer deterioration. If such damage is found, replace the yoke with an airworthy one before further flight. Dassault Falcon 20 airplanes -- Inspect and test the vertical posts of window frames in the flight compartment for fatigue cracking due to stress corrosion.
